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Pennsylvania Privateer Boat Black Joke




Black Joke [Black Joak]

Patrol Craft

Commander Enoch [Hope] Willet

Pennsylvania Privateer Boat

30 July 1781-


Commissioned/First Date:

30 July 1781

Out of Service/Cause:


Owners:

Joseph Carson & Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


Tonnage:


Battery:

Date Reported: 30 July 1781

Number/Caliber  Weight        Broadside

1/

Total: 1 cannon/

Broadside: 1 cannon/

Swivels:


Crew:

30 July 1781: 22 [total]


Description:


Officers:

(1) First Mate John Dunn, 30 July 1781-


Cruises:


Prizes:

(1) “Pettiaugre” Betsey (John Mathews), August 1781, in Long Island Sound

(2) Sloop Polly (William Jones), August 1781, in Long Island Sound


Actions:


Comments:

Pennsylvania Privateer Boat Black Joke1 (or Black Joak)2 was commissioned on 30 July 1781 under Commander Enoch3 (or Hope) Willet of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John Dunn of Philadelphia served aboard as First Mate. She was listed as being armed with one gun and having a crew of twenty men. Her $20000 bond was signed by Willet and Joseph Carson of Philadelphia.4 In August 1781 Black Joke, operating in Long Island Sound, captured the “pettiaugre” Betsey (John Mathews) and the sloop Polly (William Jones) and sent them in to port.5

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1 NRAR, 239

2 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 62

3 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 62

4 NRAR, 239

5 Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During The Revolution, II, 62